Hangzhou, May 18, 2026 – The highly anticipated Xiling Yinshe 2026 Spring Auction concluded successfully yesterday. The total transaction volume of this spring auction reached RMB 1.25 billion, with a high transaction rate of 88.5%, once again demonstrating Xiling Yinshe's leading position in the art auction market. Among them, the much-watched 'Contemporary Jade Carving' special session performed particularly brilliantly, with a total transaction volume exceeding RMB 280 million and a transaction rate as high as 95%. Many exquisite pieces set new personal auction records for artists, injecting a strong boost into the currently somewhat volatile art market.
This contemporary jade carving special session presented a total of 120 carefully selected lots, covering various materials such as Hetian jade, jadeite, and Nanhong, as well as various forms such as landscape carvings, plaques, and ornaments. Among them, a Hetian jade seed material 'Mountain and Water Clear Sound' hand-held piece created by Chinese jade carving master Wu Desheng, was sold for RMB 18.5 million, an premium of 35% above the upper estimate, becoming the highest-priced lot in this session. Another celadon jade 'Lotus Pond Moonlight' ornament carved by young artist Lin Zhiming was sold for RMB 6.8 million, setting a new auction record for the artist's personal works. In addition, a series of 'Contemporary Jade Carving Twelve Zodiac Animals' jointly created by several famous artists was acquired by an anonymous collector for an overall price of RMB 35 million. Its high premium transaction also reflects the market's pursuit of serialized and thematic works.
From the data, the transaction volume of this contemporary jade carving special session increased by 15% compared to the same period in the 2025 spring auction, showing a strong growth momentum in this sector. The average transaction price per lot reached RMB 2.33 million, an increase of 10% compared to the same period last year. Especially for exquisite works by renowned masters, their premium rates were generally higher, with an average premium rate exceeding 25%. This indicates a strong demand in the market for contemporary jade carving works that are both rare and artistic, and collectors' awareness and acceptance of high-quality works are continuously increasing.
Mr. Wang Mingyuan, General Manager of Xiling Yinshe Auction Co., Ltd., stated in an interview: "The success of this spring auction's contemporary jade carving special session once again confirms the perfect integration of traditional Chinese jade culture and contemporary art creation. We are delighted to see that more and more young collectors are beginning to pay attention to and invest in contemporary jade carving. They not only value the material value of jade carving but also its artistic value and cultural connotation. In the future, Xiling Yinshe will continue to deeply cultivate the contemporary jade carving market and discover more potential artists and works."
Ms. Li Hua, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: "Currently, the global economic situation is complex and volatile, but the art market, especially traditional Chinese art with profound cultural heritage and scarcity, is increasingly highlighting its value preservation and appreciation characteristics. Contemporary jade carving, as a combination of tradition and modernity, its unique artistic language and exquisite craftsmanship, has made it occupy an important position in the collection market. The data from this Xiling Yinshe spring auction shows that the market has shown a strong willingness to purchase exquisite works by renowned masters, innovative themes, and works with cultural heritage. It is expected that the contemporary jade carving market will maintain steady growth in the next three to five years, and the prices of exquisite pieces are expected to continue to rise."
However, Ms. Li Hua also reminded collectors that when investing in contemporary jade carving, they should pay attention to the originality of the work, the artist's creative philosophy, and the preservation status of the work. At the same time, be wary of 'concept speculation' and 'inflated pricing' in the market, invest rationally, and avoid blind following. Overall, the success of the Xiling Yinshe 2026 Spring Auction's contemporary jade carving special session undoubtedly brings positive signals to the entire art market, indicating that Chinese contemporary jade carving art is moving towards a more prosperous era.